(PMI U.S.: Stamford, CT) – PMI U.S. (the Philip Morris International family of companies) has released “Bridging the Gap: Reimagining the Employer-University Relationship in the Age of AI,” a new white paper examining the growing disconnect between higher education and workforce needs—and outlining practical steps employers and institutions can take to better prepare students for long-term success in a rapidly changing economy.

The report is based on insights from two PMI U.S.-convened gatherings in 2026: an in-person salon roundtable in Washington, D.C., that brought together university leaders, career services professionals, workforce experts, veterans’ advocates, and employers; and a subsequent national online forum that expanded the dialogue to institutions across the country. Together, participants explored how artificial intelligence, evolving hiring practices, and changing workforce expectations are reshaping the transition from education to employment.

“PMI U.S. convened these conversations because workforce readiness is emerging as one of the defining challenges—and opportunities—of our time,” says Marian Salzman, senior vice president of corporate development, and senior advisor to the U.S. CEO at PMI U.S. “As technology transforms how we work, employers and educators must work more closely together to ensure talent is not only technically prepared, but also equipped with the human skills that increasingly distinguish exceptional performers in an AI-enabled world.”

The report finds that while employers continue to report talent shortages, students and recent graduates face mounting barriers to securing meaningful employment opportunities. Internships have declined, application volumes have surged, and many hiring systems rely heavily on automated screening technologies that prioritize credentials and keywords over qualities such as judgment, communication, adaptability, and resilience.

One of the most significant findings is the emergence of an “AI vs. AI” hiring environment. Job seekers increasingly use AI for resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation materials, while employers deploy AI-powered systems to manage growing applicant pools. The result can be a hiring process where automation increasingly mediates both sides of the equation.

Yet the report argues that AI’s rise also elevates the importance of uniquely human capabilities.

“The question is no longer whether graduates know how to use AI,” says Kaleen Love, chief People & Culture officer at PMI U.S. “The question is whether they can exercise judgment, communicate effectively, build trust, and apply technology responsibly. Those are the capabilities that organizations increasingly value and that no technology can fully replace.”

Among the report’s key findings:
• Human-centered skills such as critical thinking, ethical judgment, communication, adaptability, and relationship-building are becoming more valuable as technical skills evolve more rapidly.
• Experiential learning—including internships, apprenticeships, employer-sponsored projects, and military transition programs—consistently produces stronger employment outcomes and greater career readiness.
• Employers are showing renewed interest in face-to-face engagement with students as they seek better ways to assess candidates beyond resumes and algorithms.
• Stronger, sustained partnerships between employers and educational institutions are essential to creating a more effective and equitable talent ecosystem.

The white paper concludes with a framework built around five recommended shifts:
• Moving from credential-focused education to talent development
• Transforming career services into strategic partnership functions
• Embedding communication and ethical AI use in core curricula
• Investing in relationship-driven recruiting
• Creating sustained employer–institution collaborations.

The discussions that informed the report included participants from institutions ranging from major research universities and business schools to community colleges and liberal arts institutions, as well as leaders from PMI U.S., workforce development organizations, and veteran-focused employment initiatives.

“The future workforce will require more than technical expertise,” Salzman says. “It will require curiosity, wisdom, adaptability, and the ability to work effectively with others. Through these conversations, PMI U.S. sought to bring together leaders who are committed to building a stronger bridge between education and opportunity—and this report represents a call to action for all of us.”